GlossaryAAnterior - Towards the head or front of the shellAquatic - Living in water.Areola - The center are of the scute

BBask, Basking - To be in sunlight or a warm atmosphere.Beak - The horny covering of the jaws. Some species have a notch or cusp in the upper beak.Bridge - The part of the shell that connects the carapace and the plastron.Brumation - hibernation.

CCarapace - The top shell of a chelonian.Carnivore - An animal that eats the flesh of other animals; Meat eaters.Caudal - The tail area.Chelonian - A tortoise, turtle and terrapene.CITES - Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species. This was set up to regulate the trade of species that are endangered or likely to be endangered.Cloaca - The chamber in the tail where digestive, urinary, and reproductive products are discharged.Clutch - The name of the group of eggs laid by a female.Cusp - A sharp projection at the end of the jaw.

EEgg Binding - A condition when a female turtle is unable to lay her eggs.Egg Tooth - A small bony projection at the end of the upper jaw of a hatchling turtle used to pierce the egg shell while hatching.Estivate - Inactivity during periods of drought and/or high temperatures. This is not to be confused with hibernation.

GGenetic - Pertaining to genes.Genus - A category of biological classification ranking between family and species.Gestation - The period between fertilization and the laying of the eggs.Gravid - Having eggs.

HHabitat- An environment where an animal naturally lives.Hatchling - The turtle just after it leaves its egg.Herpetology - The study of reptiles and amphibians.Hibernation - Winter inactivity where specific biological changes occur. Not all chelonians hibernate.Hinge - A moveable joint in the shell.Hybrid - An offspring from parents who are not the same species or subspecies.

IIncubation - The phase of the egg after being laid and before hatching. During this period, it needs proper temperatures and humidity.

JJuvenile - Not sexually mature.

KKeel - A lengthwise ridge running lengthwise along the carapace, usually the center. Some turtles have more than one keel.Keratin - Fibrous protein present in structures such as the carapace scutes, beaks and claws.

LLateral - Pertaining to the side

MMarginal scutes - The small scutes along the edge of the carapace.

NNares - The openings to the nasal cavity.Necrosis - Tissue that is no longer livingNitrate - The final stage of digestive filtration, containing ammonia and nitrate. Many turtles and tortoises expel this, appearing as a white, thick substance when eliminating.Nocturnal - Active at night.Nuchal Scute - A small scute on some turtles at the front of the carapace

PPlastron - The bottom shell of a chelonian.Pleural scutes - Scutes running along each side of the carapace, next to the vertebral scutes.

RRenal - Pertaining to the kidneys.RH - Relative humidity.

SSCL - The measuring of the straight carapace length of a turtle, not going over the curve.Savannah - An area of open plains and grasses.Scute - The scales covering the bones of a turtles shell.Serrated - Jagged.Subcutaneous - Beneath the skin.Subspecies - A subdivision of a single species.Substrate - The material(s) used on the flooring of a turtle pen. This can be mulch, dirt, sand, and/or other natural materials.Suture - The seams between two boney areas.Supracaudal scute - The scute above the tail.Supramarginal scutes - A series of small scutes running between the pleural and marginal scutes. Not all turtles have these.Systemic - Affecting the entire body.

TTemperate - Environments where winter and summer is experienced.Terrestrial - Living on the ground.Tomium - The sharp beak of a turtle.

VVentral - Regarding the underside.Vertebral - Relating to the spine. The vertebral scutes run along the top of the carapace.Vivarium - An indoor set-up for an animal.